VA Military Memories Competition

What was your primary Occupational Specialty in the Military? What was the most significant skill you learned and was this useful in your civilian life?

Wow! When one hears the slogan, Adapt, Improvise, and Overcome, they are talking about my beloved Marine Corps. When I enlisted in 1969, after boot camp, I was given the 0351 infantry specialty of anti-tank assault. I learned to operate the 106mm recoilless rifle along with the attached 50mm spotting rifle. Another neat “toy” I learned to fire was the 3.5 rocket launcher (Bazooka) but, that was not all I also learned to operate and fire the flame thrower. Months later, while en route to Vietnam, I had visions of blowing up enemy tanks and burning the Vietcong out of tunnels with my flame thrower. When I arrived in Danang, my instructions were to report to the 81mm mortar section, H&S 1/1 1st Marine Division. Well, I adapted, and over time and countless fire missions, I not only learned about mortars, but I worked my way up to assistant gunner and had my sights set on becoming the gunner. Well, the needs of the Corps trumped my personal ambition, and shortly after, I was transferred to Mike Company, 3/1 1st Marine Division. This was due to this unit sustaining many casualties and desperately needing replacements. Well, after my experience as a 0341 mortar man, I was once again transitioning into an 0311 infantryman. I’m not one who likes to tell war stories or talk about my experience in the war, but while I had seen some limited action with mortars, it was like a walk compared to what I was getting into. My new unit was operating in an area called “Arizona territory”. I believe this was in or near An Hoa. After being with this unit for a short while, the Marine that carried the M79 grenade launcher was due to rotate back to the States, and he designated me as his replacement. I loved this weapon, often referred to as the blooper, because of the noise it made when fired.